A: That depends on whether the dresser is new, raw wood or already finished. If raw, sand through the grits from 80 through 180, and finish by hand sanding with the grain using 180 garnet paper. Apply primer and paint. If the piece is finished, start by cleaning. Clean the surface by scrubbing with mineral spirits or TSP on fine nylon abrasive pads. The solvent will remove any surface grease or oil while the pad lightly abrades the surface. Apply a primer, such as Zinsser BIN, or use a paint that requires no primer, such as Rust-Oleum Universal.